Life and Religion

5 surprising facts about baby boomers

One baby boomer fact could save your life

Published Monday, July 21, 2014 8:41 am

by Brandpoint

Were you born between 1945 and 1965? If so, you're part of the unique generation known as the baby boomers. We’ve compiled a list of interesting facts about baby boomers in America, and one of them could save your life.

1. Baby boomers are one of the largest generations in U.S. history: The baby boomer generation, made up of a staggering 77 million Americans, is rivaled in size only by millennials - many of whom are the children of boomers. The millennial generation, born from 1980 through 1999, similarly includes approximately 77 million Americans.

2. Baby boomers support their children in and out of the nest: More than a third of baby boomers have children younger than 18 living in their homes, and research from the National Endowment for Financial Education shows that 60 percent of boomers also provide some form of financial support to their adult children.

3. Baby boomers are living longer than previous generations: Compared to previous generations, baby boomers are living longer and they are also more likely to remain independent and stay in their own homes as they age.

4. Many baby boomers are working longer: Boomers plan to continue working once they are eligible for retirement, despite having the option to stop. In fact, only 11 percent of baby boomers plan to stop working entirely once they reach retirement age, according to a survey by AARP.

5. Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic among baby boomers: People born from 1945 through 1965 are five times more likely to be infected with Hepatitis C and account for more than three out of every four Americans living with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone born from 1945 to 1965 get a blood test for Hepatitis C.

Many baby boomers living with Hepatitis C don't know how or when they got infected. Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the liver and, if left untreated, can lead to serious liver disease. In fact, Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer.

The CDC estimates that testing everyone born from 1945 to 1965 could identify 800,000 people unaware of their Hepatitis C infection, and over time, could save 120,000 lives. Testing baby boomers for Hepatitis C is important, because people with Hepatitis C often have no symptoms and can live with the disease for decades without feeling sick. All the while, liver damage may be silently occurring.

Fortunately, new treatments are available that can cure Hepatitis C. If you were born between 1945-65, talk to your doctor about getting tested. It could save your life.